One of the things which thrills me is to see New Beginnings in people’s lives. I have just had the privilege of helping to run an Alpha again and seeing people’s lives turn around with a new Hope and a new direction never fails to give me joy. People whose lives have been marred by addiction, healed, forgiven, set free and able to move forward is an amazing testimony to the new life that Jesus offers to all of us. Even if our needs don’t seem as dramatic as this, never the less our need to be rescued is just as real though perhaps not so obvious, to ourselves or others. Life can seem challenging and lonely at times, perhaps even pointless but as we allow Jesus into the equation He brings healing and purpose, whether it be for the first time or the 100th!! He brings in fresh purpose and direction, new strength and enabling by His Spirit.
One of the most successful places for an Alpha to be run is in prisons. In that situation people have no doubt as to their need for help, forgiveness and a new direction. Surrounded by hopelessness and feeling despair in their own hearts there is an openness to the gospel which is not always apparent in other places. Further the long lasting effects of these new beginnings encourages us to persevere in our own walk with Christ and to continue to share that hope with others where we live. It doesn’t need to be an Alpha, that is only one means. As we ask God He will show us how to share and show that light to family, friends and neighbours, those whom we meet daily.
As I ponder on this I’m reminded of the response that Jesus Himself had from people. The quickest to respond were those aware of their need.
* Publicans
* Tax Collectors
* Outcasts
* Prostitutes
* Ill people etc.
When questioned by the Pharisees as to why He spent time with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus replied……"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice '. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
The slowest to understand who Jesus was were the pillars of religion. The Pharisees and leaders in the Synagogue. Why?? Well they were not aware of their need. They were confident in their own righteousness and respectability. To one and all though Jesus’ message was the same, if put in different ways to be understood by the listener. A need for a fresh start, a new beginning. To receive Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, to turn around and go in a new direction, to find His purpose for our life and fulfil it with His help.
It would seem that the religious leaders of Jesus' day would rather discount the miracles and pick holes in Jesus’ life and teaching rather than receive Jesus’ love for themselves. Rather than be filled with wonder and hope they sought to destroy this Hope not only for themselves but for others!! Just as well they couldn’t achieve that for death could not hold Jesus and He still offers New Beginnings to each one. May we have the grace to receive this for ourselves and to share this hope with others in a World where the need can be increasingly seen. Money and material possessions do not meet the emptiness within our hearts. How often we have seen this in the history of mankind. We have been created to have Fellowship with God and all the fullness of life that He offers. He has shown us the way through Jesus. May we find that this year or rediscover it again giving us fresh hope and purpose, a new beginning!!
Margaret Chittick
10 Jan 2023
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